When Does My Landlord Have to Repair My AC?

No one should be stuck without air conditioning during the sweltering summer days. While homeowners can easily call for repairs, tenants are often at the mercy of their landlords. As a tenant, you have to rely on your lease agreement for many of your repair needs. Here’s how long your landlord may be able to leave you without vital air conditioning. Landlord-Tenant Laws Your landlord is legally bound to the stipulations in your lease. If your lease puts you in charge of common maintenance issues, your landlord may not have any legal reason to repair your AC. However, if the AC was working when you moved in and your landlord is responsible for it, they have to repair your unit as soon as possible. The exact timeframe in which your landlord must complete repairs depends on your state. Your landlord may have to fix your AC in as little as 10 days or within as many as 30. If the repair is directly affecting your safety, you likely won’t have to wait as long. The best way to learn about your landlord’s responsibilities is to research your landlord-tenant laws. Other emergencies that may speed up repair times include leaking water...

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Strange AC Noises and What They Mean

There are some noises that you normally would expect to hear when your air conditioning is running. However, if you hear any of the following four sounds, it is time to hire a professional AC repair service. Squealing If you hear a squealing sound coming from your indoor AC unit, it could be its fan belt. This is a common problem that is caused when the belt becomes worn or is misaligned. The sound could be intermittent or more noticeable when temperatures or humidity levels change, which causes the belt to expand or contract. You can continue using your cooling system, but you should schedule a repair because the belt will eventually break. High-Pitched Scream or Hiss If you hear a high-pitched scream or hiss coming from your AC’s condenser outdoors, it could be that pressure has built up in the compressor. Your air conditioner may turn itself on and off frequently. In this case, you should turn off your system and schedule a repair because this could be a dangerous condition. Clanking or Banging If you hear clanking or banging noises coming from your outdoor unit, it could be as simple as a small tree branch having fallen into...

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